Vinotas

I've been dying to get my hands on some lardons like I get when I'm in France. Especially now that cassoulet season is approaching, I'd like to get the real stuff. Thick-cut bacon just doesn't seem to do it. Can anyone recommend any place to get them in NYC? Thanks in advance, Cheers!

In case I'm wrong, call Astor and ask for Greg. He won't lead you astray.

As far as I can tell, it's not imported into the US. But I could be wrong.

Yes, we're at the Beekman, so thanks for the rec on pastries. We will try to get to Hudson before dinner (RSVP'd for 8pm Thursday night) and stroll around, again thanks. Since we're meeting friends Friday night at Terrapin for drinks, we'll go to Le Petit Bistrot for dinner. Cheers!

Thanks so much! I just made reservations at Swoon for dinner. The menu and wine list looked amazingly interesting and nicely priced. We might try Le Petit Bistro as well since it's across the street from our hotel. Cheers!

Hello all, Anyone have any recent recommendations for a good lunch/dinner in the Rhinebeck area? I'll be there next week and would love to sample some local stuff. BTW, good food is as important as good wine for me. THanks in advance! Cheers!

I was thinking of going as some of my wineries will be showing there (at least I think so), but not sure I can make it. I've never been and would look forward to trying it. Cheers!

Which place is Tre's? Also, has anyone tried Lola (I know, veering off-topic, apologies)?

Check out her restaurant web site. She doesn't look at all the same! ← Wow, she looks completely different! Anyone actually eaten there? Whoa, those are NYC prices!

Abra, As I posted in my blog, we ate a very nice meal at La Barbacane. I don't know, however, if they serve lunch, but dinner was quite good. Cheers!

I'd say Padma and Casey looked great, as did Camille (in red). Still, a fun show, and I will say it again, this season was the best. Cheers!

For a liquor store with a good selection and excellent prices, I'd vote for Astor. Ask for Greg, he won't lead you astray. And now for something completely different: A liquor store that has a huge selection of sakes is Ambassador, on 54th and 2nd. Excellent choices, prices and knowledgeable staff that's never done me wrong. Lastly, Jean Georges is the way to go. Welcome to NYC! Cheers!

You want a REAL NY experience? 4am Grey's Papaya hot dogs Talk about value! BEST damn hot dog you will ever eat after a night of partying and dancing. As for bagels, I have come to the conclusion that there are no more good bagels being made in NYC anymore. I was never a big fan of H&H previously, and recent tastings have only reinforced that impression. For cheese shops, Ideal and Murray's are the way to go. For Italian pastries, I'd skip Veniero's and hit Di Robertis, around the corner. For French pastries, which I am genetically predisposed to prefer, head straight to Payard, on the UES. Right now, to me, Florence Meat Market is the butcher to beat in Manhattan. Great quality meats at competitive prices in a no-frills, saw-dust filled, cat-friendly atmosphere. Finally, welcome to NYC! Cheers!

I had some once in NY, but I can't recall if it was Ideal Cheese or Murray's. I am sure if you called either up they could point you in the right direction.

After watching the episode it became clear that Casey had over-reached, whereas Hung took all that technical proficiency and threw it into his favorite dishes. That duck made me drool, though Dale's lamb had me wondering if he might be a dark horse winner. In the end, though, I think they chose the right Chef. However, I hated the Final Apprentice-like format, I didn't like it when Trump did it and I hated it now. All in all, I thought this season was much better than TC2. There was more emphasis on cooking and less on the personal dynamics/drama between the chefs. And the cooking challenges were more realistic, less "make something edible from a vending machine". And damn, but Padma looked better than ever last night. Best line of the night, as someone mentioned above, was when Dale called Todd English his "prep bitch". Cheers!

Want good food? Beaune, baby, Beaune! HERE are pictures of the Saturday market. Drool away. Cheers!

Thanks Fat Guy! We have an 8' ceiling, so we might have room for a smaller cabinet. I keep reading about how awful recirculated air hoods can be, but frankly when living in an apartment on the UES of NYC, it's a bit tough to do anything else. Our management board won't allow us to drill through the wall or put in a window vent, so I have no other choice. I just need to get rid of the smoke that occurs whenever I sear a steak or some foie gras, for example. I will look into the Broan, though others have suggested the Proline Prestige. Cheers!

Come'on, you gotta taste anything in its natural surround, which for me (I'm outa town then) would be red wine and bread. Respectfully, who eats the butter on the table with bubbly? I'll miss you guys because I would love to bring some Quatrehomme, which I just scooped into. Yum. ← True, but a nice fruity Beaujolais might go with it nonetheless if you aren't keen on the bubbly. Wish I could be there! Cheers!

Ooooh, this is why I wish I was living in Paris right now! What will you be drinking with this? What would go with baguette et beurre? I would humbly suggest a minerally Blanc de Blancs Champagne, its crisp acidity will cut through the fat of the butter, and the bubbles will scrub the palate clean. And in the end, Champagne goes with everything. Cheers!

Shamelessly self-serving desperate bump.

Seeing how helpful everyone's been about helping me pick both a new range and a new dishwasher (probably both will be Bosch stainless steel), I was hoping to pick your brains about recycled air hoods. I can not do a vented hood as I live in a NYC apartment, and cutting through the wall would be frowned upon by management. Going through the window would cut out the light and be rather unsightly. So I am left with a recycled air hood. Anyone have any good recommendations that would not break the bank (ie under $800-1000) and be reliable? And, of course, look good? Thanks in advance, Cheers!

So the general consensus seems to be that Bosch dishwashers are good, reliable and quiet. Good to know, thank you all! Cheers!

Indeed, bought a pound of Ratte for next to nothing from them. Quite delicious when tossed with duck fat and garlic and roasted. Cheers!

We are starting our kitchen renovation very soon and have to replace our old dishwasher. As I am getting a Bosch 30" Evolution 700 Series range, I figured getting a Bosch dishwasher would be a good idea. I have room for a 24" model. Any thoughts/recommendations pro/against this? Thanks in advance! Cheers!

I have to say I did not like the US version of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. I was hoping for something similar to his UK show, but the editing seemed designed to enhance the drama artificially (apparently, the infestation of roaches and flies and managers wasn't enough drama?). The show was seriously dumbed down for US audiences. And I felt that Gordon was playing to the camera. His outrage may have been real, but his passion wasn't. On the UK show, you can tell he really cares about the restauranteur and wants them to succeed. Here, I thought he was shouting just for the sake of shouting. It reminded me too much of Hell's Kitchen. I may give KN 1-2 more chances, but it will be more to see the horror show kitchens than for anything else. And to wonder if I've eaten there... Cheers!